Tet Countdown

5 Best places to visit for Tet

More often than not, in foreigner’s eyes, Tet is often written off as a time to travel to Vietnam. Well after all, most shops and restaurants as well as entertainment places would be closed during Tet. But isn’t it a big miss-out if you don't get to see the streets filled with colourful lights and lanterns, the beautiful Peach Blossoms and Golden Apricot Blossoms with those tiny little red lucky money envelopes? Plus, the beaches and cities will mostly be empty - which is great for those who prefer a getaway trip with a bit of tranquility. In order to help you enjoy the Lunar New Year atmosphere better, this guide provides you with a 4 top places to visit in Vietnam during Tet holiday:

1. Da Lat - The city of Eternal Spring

(Photo: Shutterstock)

There is a reason why this beautiful city is very well-known with all the lovely-dovey couples and honeymooners. Being the capital city of Lam Dong province, Da Lat is called “The city of Eternal Spring” with lovely French villas, the fresh air, green valley and beautiful pine forests.

There is no need to worry about what to do in Dalat during Tet, as there are a lot of tourist attractions you would want to see: the imposing 2167m Langbiang Mountain where the trekkers wouldn't be disappointed with such a challenge which gives you a marvellous view of the whole wide floral city, the Paradise Lake - a big tourist attraction with a breathtaking view and an unique way of camping, health caring, trekking, mountain climbing, fishing and the famous Truc Lam zen monastery as well as taste some specialties of Dalat, drink Can wine, and enjoy Horse or Elephant riding. Another suggested highlight is to visit the beautiful French villas and the replica of the Eiffel Tower which have given Dalat the name of “Le Petit Paris” (A Little Paris)

2. Nha Trang - The pearl of the Far East of Vietnam

(Photo: Amiana Resort Nha Trang)

If you are searching for a place where you can both enjoy the peaceful sound of the sea and still be able to attend all the busy celebrations, events, countdown show and the fireworks party then Nha Trang is definitely a place for you. Not only being famous for having the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, during Tet, Nha Trang is literately filled with flowers from all the three regions of the country: North, Central and South so you will get to see many different kinds of flowers on Ly Thanh Tong Street, the Sports Center, Xom Moi Market, Dam Market and Le Hong Phong Street as well as peach branches and apricot trees. One of the most attracted places to visit here on Lunar New Year’s Eve would be the Holy Mother Tower where the fireflies gather and fly around the tower to warmly welcome the new year. For tourists who are travelling with kids, we strongly recommend you to visit Vinpearl Nha Trang Water Park & Theme Park, where the smiles of your kids would say it all!

3. Hoi An - The Lantern Town

(Photo: Vietnam Online)

Worry about closed shops and restaurants during Tet holiday? It is not going to happen in Hoi An. Right upon your arrival to Hoi An, you will soon realise that it is the place to be - an ancient town just like in the movie! So much mouth-watering street food to try, especially “Banh My” - not the normal bread, but the famous authentic “Banh My”, so much shopping need to be done with professional local tailors that will leave you with unexpected pleasure, and the gorgeous old peaceful street view. This coming Tet holiday, Hoi An New Year Lantern Festival will be hosted on February 8th 2016 with around 50 lantern workshops in the town will take part in the events. And for seven days of the festival, the whole charming town will be lit up by hundreds of colourful lanterns and a series of culture and art performances.

4. Ha Noi - Feel the Unusual Tranquility

(Photo: Vietnam Online)

Tell me the time of the year when you can see an empty street in Ha Noi - Yes, it’s the one and only Tet! Some might say it’s a little boring to see this busy city suddenly get quiet and wonder where to go or what to do, but others would tell you to look around and hey, isn't it a strangely beautiful scene? No more traffic jam and crowd, no more horn from the vehicle, Ha Noi as you see during Tet holiday is back to being a charming little city where you can enjoy a hot authentic Vietnamese coffee while doing a bit of walking tour in the Old Quarter on a typical cold winter day. You will easily spot some local families out taking photos of their little ones happily smiling in traditional Vietnamese costumes. Just too cute that these little cuties can warm the atmosphere up even on the coldest days of winter! On those first days of the Lunar Year, don't forget to take some time to go to the Temple of Literature and Scholars’ Street as well as the famous temples. And if tourists want to do something else, there are still several of bars open during Tet Holiday - Minh’s Jazz, Easy Rider, Dragonfly, Le Pub etc. Want to see Hanoi in a different sight from being a busy capital city? This is it!

5. Ho Chi Minh City - City of lights

(Photo: Flickr)

From enjoying some classic smoky jazz in District 3 to rocking yourself up with the EDM anthems in District 1 - Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is the city that doesn't sleep. The night life here needs no introduction - parties and suppers everywhere, creative cocktails, all-nighters. On the Lunar New Year’s eve, you can either choose to countdown at the bars, or watch fireworks in the street with the local. Attending Nguyen Hue Flower Street Festival and Tao Dan Flower Festival is another way to celebrate Tet in a very local way. There will be beautiful flower decoration is mostly red and yellow - the two colours that represent Tet, featuring folk music, games and heavenly dishes in a warmly welcoming atmosphere.

Some might prefer the summer’s heat in Vietnam and spend the day sunbathing at the beach, some might want to travel at a different time to explore Vietnam without any closed shop and easier to travel with several of open bus tour. But also, to a lot of tourists who have come to Vietnam during Tet Holiday, they know this country is not just about having beautiful beaches, landscapes or good food, there are much more on discovering their traditional culture, and we hope you will gladly find out about them with a trip to Vietnam this coming Tet.